Whistleblowing Policy

Purpose
 

This policy sets out how Meadows and Turner Building Compliance Ltd encourages and enables individuals to raise concerns about wrongdoing, unsafe practices, or regulatory non-compliance in a safe, confidential and responsible manner.
 

The policy supports compliance with the expectations of the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) Operational Standard Rules (OSRs) and Professional Conduct Rules (PCRs) for RBCA’s, and promotes integrity, transparency and accountability in the delivery of Building Control services.

Scope
 

This policy applies to:
 

• All employees, Directors and officers

• Contractors, consultants and agency staff engaged by the business

• Any individual who becomes aware of concerns relating to the business’s Building Control activities

It applies to concerns arising in connection with Building Control functions and related business operations.

What is Whistleblowing?
 

Whistleblowing is the reporting of concerns where an individual reasonably believes that one or more of the following has occurred, is occurring, or is likely to occur:
 

• Breaches of Building Safety legislation or regulatory requirements

• Unsafe practices that may put people or property at risk

• Failure to act independently or impartially in Building Control decision-making

• Misconduct, malpractice or professional negligence

• Concealment of any of the above

This policy is intended for serious concerns and is separate from routine complaints or employment-related grievances.

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Principles
 

Meadows and Turner Building Compliance Ltd is committed to:
 

• Encouraging the reporting of genuine concerns

• Treating disclosures seriously and investigating them appropriately

• Protecting whistleblowers from victimisation or retaliation

• Maintaining confidentiality as far as reasonably practicable.

How to Raise a Concern
 

Concerns should normally be raised with:
 

• A Director, or

• A designated senior officer, where applicable.

Concerns may be raised verbally or in writing and should include sufficient information to allow the matter to be assessed and investigated. Where an individual believes that raising a concern internally is not appropriate, they may raise the matter with an appropriate external body, including the Building Safety Regulator.

Confidentiality and Anonymity
 

• All disclosures will be handled sensitively and confidentially.

• The identity of the whistleblower will not be disclosed without consent unless required by law.

• Anonymous disclosures will be considered, although this may limit the ability to investigate fully.

Investigation and Outcome
 

• All concerns will be assessed promptly and impartially.

• Appropriate action will be taken where concerns are substantiated.

• Where possible, the whistleblower will be informed that the matter has been addressed, subject to confidentiality and legal constraints.

Protection for Whistleblowers
 

No individual who raises a concern in good faith will be subjected to detriment, victimisation or disciplinary action as a result of doing so.

Any acts of retaliation will be treated as a serious disciplinary matter.

Relationship with Other Policies
 

This policy operates alongside:
 

• The Complaints Handling Policy (for service-related complaints)

• The Conflict of Interest & Independence Policy (for independence and impartiality matters)

• The Operating Procedures Statement

Concerns will be managed under the most appropriate policy depending on their nature.

Record Keeping
 

Records of whistleblowing disclosures and outcomes will be maintained securely and in accordance with data protection requirements.